System for presenting media content

ABSTRACT

A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a communication device having a controller element to receive a tout message associated with a media content item, and present the tout message with a selectable Internet link having one or more instructions for directing a set-top box (STB) receiver of a subscriber of the communication device. Other embodiments are disclosed.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of and claims priority to U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 11/837,769 filed Aug. 13, 2007 which isincorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure relates generally to media content and morespecifically to a system for presenting media content.

BACKGROUND

It is common today for consumers of media content such as music andvideos to receive advertisements via email or other communication means.These advertisements typically have Internet links such as a UniformResource Identifier (URL) to point the user to a website from which themedia content being touted can be purchased. This approach however insome instances can be cumbersome to the consumers because it requires anumber of steps to complete a transaction associated with theconsumption of the advertised media content.

For instance, media content purchased from a media content portalgenerally must be downloaded to a computing device such as a desktopcomputer. In some cases, the consumer may desire presentation of themedia content by way of a high fidelity media presentation device suchas a set-top box (STB) with surround sound, high definition video, orlike media instrumentation. To accomplish this, the consumer musttransfer the purchased media to the STB from his/her computing device.By the time the consumer is able to playback the purchased media contentat his/her STB, said consumer has undertaken a number of technical stepsto reach this point. Similar complexities can arise in setting up mediarecordings of touted media content by way of a Digital Video Recorder(DVR).

Some consumers ignore messages with URL links to touted media contentfor lack of technical expertise or because they do not desire to spendthe time to undergo steps similar to those described above.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 depicts an exemplary embodiment of a communication system;

FIG. 2 depicts an exemplary embodiment of a portal of the communicationsystem;

FIG. 3 depicts an exemplary method operating in portions of thecommunication system;

FIG. 4 depicts an exemplary embodiment of Graphical User Interface (GUI)windows presented by a communication device of the communication systemaccording to the method of FIG. 3; and

FIG. 5 is a diagrammatic representation of a machine in the form of acomputer system within which a set of instructions, when executed, maycause the machine to perform any one or more of the methodologiesdiscussed herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In one embodiment of the present disclosure, a computer-readable storagemedium can have computer instructions for selecting a media content itemfor a subscriber, constructing a tout message associated with the mediacontent item, including in the tout message a selectable link comprisinga Uniform Resource Locator (URL) with one or more instructions fordirecting a set-top box (STB) receiver of the subscriber, andtransmitting the tout message to a communication device of thesubscriber.

In one embodiment of the present disclosure, a communication device canhave a controller element to receive a tout message associated with amedia content item, and present the tout message with a selectableInternet link having one or more instructions for directing an STBreceiver of a subscriber of the communication device.

In one embodiment of the present disclosure, a media content processorcan have a controller element to receive one or more instructions forconsuming a media content item, wherein the one or more instructions areincluded in each of one or more selectable Internet links of a toutmessage transmitted to a communication device of a subscriber of themedia content processor.

FIG. 1 depicts an exemplary embodiment of a communication system 100.The communication system 100 can represent an IPTV broadcast mediasystem. In a typical IPTV infrastructure, there is at least one superhead office server (SHS) which receives national media programs fromsatellite and/or media servers from service providers of multimediabroadcast channels. In the present context, media programs can representaudio only content, video only content, and/or combinations thereof. TheSHS server forwards IP packets associated with the media content tovideo head servers (VHS) via a network of video head offices (VHO)according to a common multicast communication method.

The VHS then distributes multimedia broadcast programs to commercialand/or residential buildings 102 housing a gateway 104 (e.g., aresidential gateway or RG). The gateway 104 distributes broadcastsignals to media content processors 106 such as Set-Top Boxes (STBs)which in turn present broadcast selections to media devices 108 such ascomputers or television units managed in some instances by a mediacontroller 107 (e.g., an infrared or RF remote control). Unicast trafficcan also be exchanged between the media content processors 106 andsubsystems of the IPTV media system for services such as video-on-demand(VoD).

The IPTV media system can be coupled to one or more computing devices130 that can operate as a web or Internet server for providing portalservices over an Internet Service Provider (ISP) network 132 to fixedmedia devices 108 or portable communication devices 116 by way of awireless base station 117 such as in a cellular communication networkoperating with common protocols (GSM, CDMA, etc.). The web server 130can also operate as a tout manager for transmitting tout messages tocommunication devices of subscribers of communication system 100.

A satellite broadcast system can be used in place of the IPTV mediasystem. In this embodiment, signals transmitted by a satellite 115 canbe intercepted by a satellite dish receiver 131 coupled to building 102which conveys media signals to the media content processors 106 by wayof gateway 104. The media content processors 106 can be equipped with abroadband port to the ISP network 132. Although not shown, thecommunication system 100 can also be combined or replaced with analog ordigital broadcast distributions systems such as cable systems. It wouldbe apparent therefore to one of ordinary skill in the art that thepresent disclosure can be applied to any content media system.

FIG. 2 depicts an exemplary embodiment of a portal 230 of thecommunication system 100. In FIG. 2, the portal 230 can be accessed by aURL with a common browser such as Microsoft's Internet Explorer using anInternet-capable fixed or portable communication device 108, 116. Theportal 230 can be configured to access a media content processor 106such as the STB of FIG. 1 and services managed thereby such as a DigitalVideo Recorder (DVR), an Electronic Programming Guide (EPG), Video onDemand (VoD) catalog, a personal catalog stored in the STB (e.g.,personal videos, pictures, audio recordings, etc.), and so on by way ofthe gateway 104.

FIG. 3 depicts an exemplary method 300 operating in portions of thecommunication system 100. Method 300 begins with step 302 in which atout manager identified herein by reference 130 identifies a mediacontent item that appeals to a subscriber of an STB 106. The mediacontent item can be identified according to one or more preferences ofthe subscriber and/or a history of media content consumed by thesubscriber. The preferences can be established by the subscriber assettings by way of the portal 230. For example, the subscriber canidentify music preferences (e.g., Classical music, artists, groups,etc.) and video preferences (e.g., comedies, action movies, ratings,actors, etc.). The tout manager 130 can also be programmed to monitorthe STB 106 of a select subscriber for the content consumed by saidsubscriber. From a historical collection of monitored consumption, thetout manager 130 can utilize common pattern recognition techniques toidentify likes and dislikes of the subscriber.

Based on proactive biases given by the subscriber (i.e., preferences)and/or observed behavior, the tout manager 130 can be programmed in step302 to search for content that appeals to the subscriber. The toutmanager 130 can search an EPG, a VoD catalog, pod casts, or the Internetin general for content that may be of interest to the subscriber. Frommetadata associated with media content found by the tout manager 130 instep 302, a tout message can be created in step 304 identifying theselected media content item (e.g., a new release of Matrix IV found in aVoD catalog) with one or more selectable Uniform Resource Identifiers(URIs). The URI can correspond to a Uniform Resource Identifier (URL)incorporating one or more instructions for directing the STB 106 of thesubscriber on how to for example extract and process the media contentitem being touted. Alternatively, the URI can be represented by aSession Initiation Protocol (SIP) URI with similar instructions.

In step 306, the tout manager 130 can be programmed to select acommunication device 108 or 116 of the subscriber according to presenceinformation associated therewith. Computing devices 130 of FIG. 1 canalso comprise a presence system which monitors by common means theactivities and whereabouts of the subscriber. The presence server canfor example detect that the subscriber is in transit with a portablecommunication device 116 by detecting a handover transition between basestations 117 and/or by receiving location coordinates from the portablecommunication device using a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiverincorporated therein. The presence system can also detect that thesubscriber is utilizing a communication device 108 in building 102 basedon network activity emanating from said communication device or beingconsumed thereby. With this information in hand, the touting manager 130can select a communication device 108 or 116 having a predictablelikelihood of reaching the subscriber.

Once a communication device 108 or 116 is selected, the tout manager 130transmits in step 308 the tout message to said device. The transmissioncan be a wireline or wireless transmission. Additionally, anycommunication medium can be used for said transmission such as forexample a wireless multimedia messaging service (MMS) message, a messagetransmitted over a Rich Site Summary (RSS) feed, an email or other formof messaging technique suitable for the present disclosure. Uponreceiving the tout message, the communication device 108 or 116 presentsin step 310 the tout message with one or more GUI elements as shown inFIG. 4 and awaits a selection in step 312. In this illustration, the GUIelements can represent a GUI window 402 presented on a display of thecommunication device 108 or 116. A sub-GUI window 404 can present thetout message which could be a text-only message as shown or combinedwith graphical images (e.g., a movie or music banner).

In this example, the sub-GUI window indicates to the subscriber that themovie Matrix IV is now available for download from a VoD catalog or likesource for a given price. The tout also provides an explanation of theactions that the subscriber can take: buy (or rent) the movie (GUIbutton 406), preview it (GUI button 408), or reject the tout (GUI button410). Each of these GUI buttons can include a URI with one or moreinstructions that can be directed to the STB 106 of the subscriberand/or the tout manager 130.

If the subscriber selects by common means through a user interface(e.g., keypad, mouse, navigation disk, joy stick, etc.) of thecommunication device 108 or 116 to preview the touted media content instep 314, the communication device proceeds to step 316 where itestablishes communications according to a URI of GUI button 408 with oneor more preview instructions for directing the STB 106 or the toutmanager 130. In the case where the URI is used to establishcommunications with the tout manager 130, the tout manager can decodethe URI instructions to direct in step 318 the STB 106 to supplystreamed media associated with the media content item identified by thetout message. This step can be the culmination of the STB 106 requestinga trailer of the media content item from a VoD catalog and streaming itin step 320 to the communication device 108 or 116 directly or to thetout manager 130 which redirects it to the communication device.

Alternatively, the URI can be used to establish communications with theSTB 106 which processes the preview instructions in the URI. In thisembodiment, the streamed media is transmitted by the STB 106 to thecommunication device 108 or 116 without assistance from the tout manager130. In yet another embodiment, steps 318 and 320 can be supplanted witha step (not shown) in which the tout manager 130 retrieves the trailerfrom the VoD catalog and presents it to the communication device 108 or116 as streamed content.

FIG. 4 depicts a transition when the preview button 408 is selected. Inthis illustration, a new GUI window 412 is presented by way of a userinterface of the communication device 108 or 116. In said window 412 atrailer of the movie is streamed by the STB 106 or the tout manager 130to the communication device 108 or 116 utilizing an embedded mediaplayer operating in a browser application of the communication device.GUI window 412 can have GUI elements such as play and pause buttons forcontrolling presentation of the movie trailer. The “Buy” GUI button 406and the “Not Interested” GUI button 410 are presented with the previewGUI window 412 in the event the subscriber wants to purchase or rejectthe media content being touted. If the subscriber rejects the content,the communication device 108 or 116 can be programmed to terminate theGUI window 402 thereby ending method 300 from step 312.

If on the other hand the subscriber selects to purchase the mediacontent in step 322 with or without previewing it, the communicationdevice 108 or 116 proceeds to step 324 where it establishescommunications according to the URI of the Buy GUI button 406incorporating one or more buy instructions for directing the STB 106 orthe tout manager 130. In one embodiment, the tout manager 130 can directin step 326 the STB 106 to download in step 328 from a VoD catalog orother source the media content item identified by the tout message. Oncethe subscriber arrives in building 102, s/he can direct by way of themedia controller 107 playback of the downloaded media content item.Alternatively, the communication device 108 or 116 can directlycommunicate the buy instructions to the STB 106 to download the mediacontent item as described above.

Upon reviewing the aforementioned embodiments, it would be evident to anartisan with ordinary skill in the art that said embodiments can bemodified, reduced, or enhanced without departing from the scope andspirit of the claims described below. For example, method 300 can beadapted so that the tout manager 130 can embed in the tout message anInternet link in the form of a URI with instructions for recording aproposed media content item. The presentation of the tout message can bemuch like that shown in FIG. 4 with the replacement of the Buy GUIbutton 406 with a Record GUI button. The Preview GUI button 408 can bekept if trailers can be retrieved from a backend system (not shown inFIG. 1). In yet another embodiment, the tout message can be nested sothat multiple media content items can be promoted, and/or a mediacontent selection or rejection leads to other tout messages withembedded URI links with associated instructions for the STB 106 to acton the proposed content.

These are but a few examples of modifications that can be applied to thepresent disclosure without departing from the scope of the claims.Accordingly, the reader is directed to the claims section for a fullerunderstanding of the breadth and scope of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 depicts an exemplary diagrammatic representation of a machine inthe form of a computer system 500 within which a set of instructions,when executed, may cause the machine to perform any one or more of themethodologies discussed above. In some embodiments, the machine operatesas a standalone device. In some embodiments, the machine may beconnected (e.g., using a network) to other machines. In a networkeddeployment, the machine may operate in the capacity of a server or aclient user machine in server-client user network environment, or as apeer machine in a peer-to-peer (or distributed) network environment.

The machine may comprise a server computer, a client user computer, apersonal computer (PC), a tablet PC, a laptop computer, a desktopcomputer, a control system, a network router, switch or bridge, or anymachine capable of executing a set of instructions (sequential orotherwise) that specify actions to be taken by that machine. It will beunderstood that a device of the present disclosure includes broadly anyelectronic device that provides voice, video or data communication.Further, while a single machine is illustrated, the term “machine” shallalso be taken to include any collection of machines that individually orjointly execute a set (or multiple sets) of instructions to perform anyone or more of the methodologies discussed herein.

The computer system 500 may include a processor 502 (e.g., a centralprocessing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU, or both), a mainmemory 504 and a static memory 506, which communicate with each othervia a bus 508. The computer system 500 may further include a videodisplay unit 510 (e.g., a liquid crystal display (LCD), a flat panel, asolid state display, or a cathode ray tube (CRT)). The computer system500 may include an input device 512 (e.g., a keyboard), a cursor controldevice 514 (e.g., a mouse), a disk drive unit 516, a signal generationdevice 518 (e.g., a speaker or remote control) and a network interfacedevice 520.

The disk drive unit 516 may include a machine-readable medium 522 onwhich is stored one or more sets of instructions (e.g., software 524)embodying any one or more of the methodologies or functions describedherein, including those methods illustrated above. The instructions 524may also reside, completely or at least partially, within the mainmemory 504, the static memory 506, and/or within the processor 502during execution thereof by the computer system 500. The main memory 504and the processor 502 also may constitute machine-readable media.

Dedicated hardware implementations including, but not limited to,application specific integrated circuits, programmable logic arrays andother hardware devices can likewise be constructed to implement themethods described herein. Applications that may include the apparatusand systems of various embodiments broadly include a variety ofelectronic and computer systems. Some embodiments implement functions intwo or more specific interconnected hardware modules or devices withrelated control and data signals communicated between and through themodules, or as portions of an application-specific integrated circuit.Thus, the example system is applicable to software, firmware, andhardware implementations.

In accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure, themethods described herein are intended for operation as software programsrunning on a computer processor. Furthermore, software implementationscan include, but not limited to, distributed processing orcomponent/object distributed processing, parallel processing, or virtualmachine processing can also be constructed to implement the methodsdescribed herein.

The present disclosure contemplates a machine readable medium containinginstructions 524, or that which receives and executes instructions 524from a propagated signal so that a device connected to a networkenvironment 526 can send or receive voice, video or data, and tocommunicate over the network 526 using the instructions 524. Theinstructions 524 may further be transmitted or received over a network526 via the network interface device 520.

While the machine-readable medium 522 is shown in an example embodimentto be a single medium, the term “machine-readable medium” should betaken to include a single medium or multiple media (e.g., a centralizedor distributed database, and/or associated caches and servers) thatstore the one or more sets of instructions. The term “machine-readablemedium” shall also be taken to include any medium that is capable ofstoring, encoding or carrying a set of instructions for execution by themachine and that cause the machine to perform any one or more of themethodologies of the present disclosure.

The term “machine-readable medium” shall accordingly be taken toinclude, but not be limited to: solid-state memories such as a memorycard or other package that houses one or more read-only (non-volatile)memories, random access memories, or other re-writable (volatile)memories; magneto-optical or optical medium such as a disk or tape; andcarrier wave signals such as a signal embodying computer instructions ina transmission medium; and/or a digital file attachment to e-mail orother self-contained information archive or set of archives isconsidered a distribution medium equivalent to a tangible storagemedium. Accordingly, the disclosure is considered to include any one ormore of a machine-readable medium or a distribution medium, as listedherein and including art-recognized equivalents and successor media, inwhich the software implementations herein are stored.

Although the present specification describes components and functionsimplemented in the embodiments with reference to particular standardsand protocols, the disclosure is not limited to such standards andprotocols. Each of the standards for Internet and other packet switchednetwork transmission (e.g., TCP/IP, UDP/IP, HTML, HTTP) representexamples of the state of the art. Such standards are periodicallysuperseded by faster or more efficient equivalents having essentiallythe same functions. Accordingly, replacement standards and protocolshaving the same functions are considered equivalents.

The illustrations of embodiments described herein are intended toprovide a general understanding of the structure of various embodiments,and they are not intended to serve as a complete description of all theelements and features of apparatus and systems that might make use ofthe structures described herein. Many other embodiments will be apparentto those of skill in the art upon reviewing the above description. Otherembodiments may be utilized and derived therefrom, such that structuraland logical substitutions and changes may be made without departing fromthe scope of this disclosure. Figures are also merely representationaland may not be drawn to scale. Certain proportions thereof may beexaggerated, while others may be minimized Accordingly, thespecification and drawings are to be regarded in an illustrative ratherthan a restrictive sense.

Such embodiments of the inventive subject matter may be referred toherein, individually and/or collectively, by the term “invention” merelyfor convenience and without intending to voluntarily limit the scope ofthis application to any single invention or inventive concept if morethan one is in fact disclosed. Thus, although specific embodiments havebeen illustrated and described herein, it should be appreciated that anyarrangement calculated to achieve the same purpose may be substitutedfor the specific embodiments shown. This disclosure is intended to coverany and all adaptations or variations of various embodiments.Combinations of the above embodiments, and other embodiments notspecifically described herein, will be apparent to those of skill in theart upon reviewing the above description.

The Abstract of the Disclosure is provided to allow the reader toquickly ascertain the nature of the technical disclosure. It issubmitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpretor limit the scope or meaning of the claims. In addition, in theforegoing Detailed Description, it can be seen that various features aregrouped together in a single embodiment for the purpose of streamliningthe disclosure. This method of disclosure is not to be interpreted asreflecting an intention that the claimed embodiments require morefeatures than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as thefollowing claims reflect, inventive subject matter lies in less than allfeatures of a single disclosed embodiment. Thus the following claims arehereby incorporated into the Detailed Description, with each claimstanding on its own as a separately claimed subject matter.

What is claimed is:
 1. A non-transitory machine-readable storage medium,comprising executable instructions that, when executed by a processor,facilitate performance of operations, comprising: monitoring a set topbox for consumption of media content by a subscriber; selecting a mediacontent item for the subscriber according to the consumption;constructing a tout message associated with the media content item;including, in the tout message, information associated with the mediacontent item without providing images associated with the media contentand further including in the tout message a selectable link includinginstructions for directing the set top box of the subscriber to recordthe media content item without the subscriber providing additionalinput; identifying a group of communication devices associated with thesubscriber; determining a prediction of a likelihood of reaching thesubscriber based on presence information associated with the subscriber;selecting a mobile communication device of the subscriber from amongstthe group of communication devices according to the prediction; andtransmitting the tout message to the mobile communication device of thesubscriber, wherein the mobile communication device receives the mediacontent item via the set top box, and wherein the transmitting of thetout message causes the mobile communication device to replace a buybutton with a record button in a graphical user interface in which thetout message is presented.
 2. The non-transitory machine-readablestorage medium of claim 1, wherein the presence information isdetermined from detecting a handover transition between base stations,and wherein the media content item corresponds to video content.
 3. Thenon-transitory machine-readable storage medium of claim 1, wherein theoperations further comprise selecting the media content item accordingto preferences of the subscriber.
 4. The non-transitory machine-readablestorage medium of claim 1, wherein the presence information isdetermined from network activity emanating from the group ofcommunication devices.
 5. The non-transitory machine-readable storagemedium of claim 1, wherein the tout message is transmitted using anemail message.
 6. The non-transitory machine-readable storage medium ofclaim 5, wherein the instructions include a time, duration and mediachannel specified for recording.
 7. The non-transitory machine-readablestorage medium of claim 1, wherein the selectable link establishescommunications between the communication device of the subscriber andthe set top box when selected, and wherein the presence information isdetermined from global positioning system coordinate informationsupplied by global positioning system receivers in the group ofcommunication devices.
 8. A processor, comprising: a memory that storesexecutable instructions; and a controller element coupled with thememory, wherein the controller element, responsive to executing theinstructions, facilitates performance of operations comprising:monitoring for consumption of media content by a subscriber; selecting amedia content item for the subscriber according to the consumption;constructing a tout message associated with the media content item;including, in the tout message, information associated with the mediacontent item and a selectable link with instructions for a computingdevice to obtain the media content item without the subscriber providingadditional input; identifying a group of communication devicesassociated with the subscriber; determining a prediction of a likelihoodof reaching the subscriber based on presence information associated withthe subscriber; selecting a mobile communication device of thesubscriber from amongst the group of communication devices according tothe prediction; and transmitting the tout message to the mobilecommunication device of the subscriber, and wherein the mobilecommunication device receives the media content item via a set top box,wherein the transmitting of the tout message causes the mobilecommunication device to replace a buy button with a record button in agraphical user interface in which the tout message is presented.
 9. Theprocessor of claim 8, wherein the presence information is determinedfrom detecting a handover transition between base stations, from globalpositioning system coordinate information supplied by global positioningsystem receivers in the group of communication devices, from networkactivity emanating from the group of communication devices, orcombinations thereof.
 10. The processor of claim 8, wherein the mediacontent item is selected according to a history of media contentconsumed by the subscriber.
 11. The processor of claim 8, wherein themedia content item is selected according to preferences of thesubscriber.
 12. The processor of claim 10, wherein the instructionsinclude a time, duration and media channel for recording.
 13. Theprocessor of claim 8, wherein the tout message is transmitted using anemail message.
 14. The processor of claim 8, wherein the tout messagedoes not include images associated with the media content.
 15. A methodcomprising: monitoring, by a system including a processor, forconsumption of media content by a subscriber; selecting, by the system,a media content item according to the consumption; constructing a toutmessage associated with the media content item; including, in the toutmessage, information associated with the media content item and furtherincluding in the tout message a selectable link including instructionsfor directing a set top box of the subscriber to record the mediacontent item without the subscriber providing additional input;identifying, by the system, a group of communication devices associatedwith the subscriber; determining, by the system, a prediction of alikelihood of reaching the subscriber based on presence informationassociated with the subscriber; selecting, by the system, a mobilecommunication device of the subscriber from amongst the group ofcommunication devices according to the prediction; and transmitting, bythe system, the tout message to the mobile communication device of thesubscriber, wherein the mobile communication device receives the mediacontent item via the set top box.
 16. The method of claim 15, whereinthe presence information is determined from detecting a handovertransition between base stations, from global positioning systemcoordinate information supplied by global positioning system receiversin the group of communication devices, from network activity emanatingfrom the group of communication devices, or combinations thereof. 17.The method of claim 15, wherein the tout message is transmitted using anemail message, and wherein the transmitting of the tout message causesthe mobile communication device to replace a buy button with a recordbutton in a graphical user interface in which the tout message ispresented.
 18. The method of claim 15, comprising selecting the mediacontent item according to preferences of the subscriber.
 19. The methodof claim 15, wherein the tout message does not include images associatedwith the media content.
 20. The method of claim 15, wherein theinstructions include a time, duration and media channel for recording.